Plenty of quotes are lost not because the price was wrong, but because no one followed up. Customers get busy, compare options, and drift. A simple, reliable cadence (and fast first contact) wins work your competitors let slip.
TL;DR: Respond to the enquiry within minutes, send the quote the same day if you can, then follow up a day or two later, again after about a week, and a final time a couple of weeks on. Make it easy and polite, automate the reminders so they actually happen, and stop when they buy or clearly opt out. Speed of first response matters most.
Why speed wins
The business that responds first is often the one that gets the job: fast contact signals reliability and catches the customer while they're still thinking about it. Hours of delay let interest cool and competitors in. Getting the quote out quickly is half the battle.
A sensible follow-up cadence
After sending the quote: a gentle check-in a day or two later ("any questions?"), another after about a week, and a final, no-pressure nudge a couple of weeks on. Three or four touches over a few weeks recovers most winnable quotes without being pushy.
Make it happen automatically
The reason follow-up doesn't happen is that it relies on memory amid a busy week. Automating the sequence, so each reminder sends itself until the customer responds, is what turns "I should follow up" into work won. See automation.
Key takeaways
- Most lost quotes are lost to silence, not price
- Respond in minutes; send the quote the same day where possible
- Follow up at ~1–2 days, ~1 week, ~2 weeks, polite, not pushy
- Automate it so it actually happens; stop when they buy or opt out
Frequently asked questions
How fast should I respond to a quote request?
Within minutes if you can; speed of first response is one of the strongest predictors of winning the job.
How many times should I follow up?
Three or four touches over a couple of weeks suits most service work. Stop when they buy or clearly aren't interested.
Won't following up annoy people?
Done politely, no, most customers appreciate the reminder, and many simply forgot. Keep it brief and helpful, not pushy.
Isn't manual follow-up enough?
It is, until a busy week means it doesn't happen. Automating the reminders is what makes the cadence reliable.
Stop losing winnable work. book a free strategy session to map your follow-up, or get a free visibility scan.
Written by Katrina Curll, Founder of Linkai Digital. Twenty years in marketing, including seven as a Vice President at Forrester, helping Australian service businesses build systems that capture, convert and keep more clients.